In a recent study published in JAMA Network Open , researchers investigated associations between ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption and cardiometabolic risk factors in young children. Study: Ultraprocessed Food Consumption and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Children . Image Credit: Irina Wilhauk/Shutterstock.
com Abnormal cardiometabolic risk factors often appear in childhood, and their early detection and regulation can prevent or delay future cardiovascular disease (CVD) onset. Recent studies have highlighted the potential role of UPFs in chronic disease risks. UPFs are foods with extensive industrial processing and often contain multiple ingredients, preservatives, and additives.
UPFs are low in essential nutrients but rich in sugars, saturated fats, sodium, and others, all linked to cardiometabolic health. Given their high affordability and availability, UPFs have become common in modern diets, especially among adolescents and children and in families with low education and socioeconomic status. While studies have revealed that UPF intake is positively associated with obesity, CVD, diabetes, and mortality, evidence in children is limited.
In the present study, researchers examined the associations of UPF intake with cardiometabolic risk factors in a pediatric population in Spain. They used data on school children aged 3–6 enrolled from March 22, 2019, to June 30, 2022, in the childhood obesity risk assessment longitudinal study. Caregivers or parents completed quest.
